NEIL LENNON has told Hibs’ forgotten men Danny Handling and Sam Stanton that they will need to leave Easter Road if they want guaranteed first-team football.

Handling, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Raith Rovers, turned in a fine cameo against Berwick Rangers on Tuesday evening, climbed from the bench to net the opening goal in a 2-0 win at Shielfield Park.

However, the 23-year-old has not featured in a senior match for the Hibees since a 4-1 win over Alloa in April 2015 and his hopes of breaking into the side on a regular basis this term appear slim.

Stanton, who has spent the last 18 months on loan with Livingston and Dumbarton respectively, has been deemed similarly surplus to requirements by Lennon as his Hibs career threatens to fizzle out after bursting onto the scene in spectacular fashion during the 2013/14 campaign.

Both players have one year left to run on their contracts.

Lennon said: “We’ve had a chat with them and they know how difficult it is going to be for them. There is interest in both of them. We will need to see what prevails.

“Their attitudes have been great and they have trained really well. Danny [Handling] has really impressed me, he has worked very hard on his fitness levels and has come back to the club looking very, very well.

(Pic: YouTube, HibsTV)

“I’m very fond of Sammy [Stanton] too, but it is just very difficult for him, with the midfield we have here.

“Both of them are aware of the situation. Regular football is just something I can’t guarantee them.”